Peripheral Vision Ltd Announces Cross-Platform Signature Verification for Pen Computers and Desktops

May 3, 1994 — At Pen and Portable Computing, Peripheral Vision Ltd. today announced that support for its PenOp software range has been extended to encompass Microsoft’s Windows v3.1, Windows for Pen Computing v1.0 and IBM’s OS/2 v2.1 and PenOS/2 v1.0.

PenOp is a range of software components for the handwritten signature that has been designed to accelerate paper-bound business processes that depend on the handwritten signature, and to replace the password as a means of securing access to machines and networks. Shipping today are three PenOp components for Windows (PenOp/MAS, PenOp/SDK and the core library, PenOp/Server), and two for IBM’s Pen OS/2 (PenOp/SDK and PenOp/Server).

PenOp/MAS (Machine Access Security) restricts computer access to a pre-defined list of users by asking them literally to “sign on” to a machine. Typical hardware configurations include pen computers, or a digitizer attached to a desktop or laptop machine. Supporting multiple users with different levels of privilege, PenOp/MAS provides a high level of security by analysing how signatures are written, while at the same time being much easier to use and administer than passwords.

PenOp/Server, at the heart of the PenOp range, maintains a database of unique invisible signature dynamics for each individual, and contains the core PenOp dynamic link library (DLL). These are used by all client applications wishing to capture, verify and/or manage signatures, and have been specifically designed to provide consistent functionality across a wide range of pen computer and host platforms. Programmatic access to the PenOp/Server is provided by the PenOp/SDK, which enables software developers to incorporate PenOp functionality within their applications, either using C++, or Visual Basic for Windows.

“We have designed PenOp to provide safe and simple security, and to minimize the business risk in capturing hand-written signatures on computers instead of on paper, while enhancing the value of doing so”, said Jeremy Newman, Managing Director of Peripheral Vision. “With the ability for other developers to use PenOp in their own applications, we are creating an opportunity to finally remove one of the most persistent barriers to the replacement of paper in In-formation Technology – the handwritten signature.”

Peripheral Vision Limited, a privately held company headquartered in Frome, Somerset, UK, was founded in 1990 to develop, market and support software for the pen interface, worldwide. They have recently set up a representative office in New York City.

Note to editors: PenOp is a registered trademark of Peripheral Vision Limited. All other marks are the property of their respective holders.

CONTACT:
Peripheral Vision Limited
Arthur Llewellyn, (800) 286-4137
Jeremy Newman, (212) 262-1588